Mobile Refueling System with NFC Asset Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle refueling systems face challenges such as manual operation, queuing issues, and difficulties in real-time tracking and billing, especially in remote locations and when handling multiple vehicles, which affect time, cost, and energy management.
Innovation Solution
An automated platform utilizing NFC technology in mobile devices for asset identification, integrated with a robust mobile platform for handling multiple requests, enabling real-time tracking and billing, and geo-fencing to ensure accurate fuel delivery and invoicing through an INSTAFUEL™ system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual refueling stations are used, then refueling can be performed, but vehicles must queue and travel to dedicated locations, affecting time and energy management
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service refueling through automated NFC identification and mobile device-based fuel dispensing. Vehicles can refuel autonomously without manual intervention from station staff, eliminating queuing and allowing drivers to initiate refueling immediately when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling system is made mobile and can service multiple vehicle types and locations. The mobile refueling unit can travel to different locations and serve various vehicles with different fuel requirements, replacing the need for fixed dedicated refueling stations.
2Ease of operation
If traditional refueling stations are established, then refueling service is available, but expensive land purchase or lease increases fuel prices
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling station is transformed from a static fixed-location facility to a dynamic mobile unit. The mobile refueling vehicle can move to different locations as needed, eliminating the need for expensive land purchases or long-term leases associated with traditional fixed refueling stations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile refueling systems are implemented, then on-site delivery is enabled, but identifying, tracking and billing multiple fills simultaneously becomes difficult and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical processes of fill identification, tracking, and billing are replaced with automated electronic systems. NFC tags provide automatic vehicle identification, mobile devices with software applications automate tracking of multiple fills, and digital systems handle billing automatically, eliminating the complexity of manual management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where NFC tags continuously identify vehicles, mobile devices track fuel dispensing in real-time, and the system automatically updates billing information. This continuous feedback enables simultaneous management of multiple fills without manual intervention.
4Ease of operation
If manual operation at refueling stations is used, then refueling can be performed, but staff hiring is required leading to vehicle queuing
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for manual staff intervention by implementing self-service refueling. Vehicles present their NFC tags automatically, the mobile device identifies and authorizes the refueling, and the fuel dispensing is controlled automatically, allowing continuous operation without staff-induced delays.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient, automated refueling with real-time tracking and billing, eliminating the need for dedicated fuel stations and ensuring accurate fuel delivery and invoicing, even in remote locations, by using NFC tags and mobile refueling stations with telematic data integration.
Implementation Method 1
Each asset or vehicle comprises an industrial NFC ID tag or a NFC sticker. Each NFC ID tag or A NFC sticker allows reading information stored in an INSTAFUEL database corresponding to each asset or motorized vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses an automated system and method for a vehicle fueling service. The system comprises a plurality of first users with a smart device preloaded with a software application. The first users are associated with a carrier of a mobile fuel dispensing unit. An online server is configured for the interaction between the first user and a plurality of second users and an online non-transitory storage database for storing information corresponding to an asset or a vehicle. The smart device is communicatively coupled to a NFC tag stuck to each asset or vehicle for their identification and further accessing the information. The software application comprises an integrated automated billing module for creation of an invoice in real time and is configured to allow the first users to handle a plurality of request for using the vehicle fueling service at a time.